The Tigers have been handed a tough start against the 2025 Grand Finalists, but the game being at home gives the players a chance to put a marker down to show fans what they can achieve in the season ahead.
“That first opportunity in front of our home crowd is pivotal,” said Carr.
“It’s a really good chance for us to set the tone on who we’re going to be as a team.
“Wigan have been a benchmark club in Super League over the last few years. But we’ve got just as much respect for all the teams we’re going to play this year.
“We’re going to treat every game like the hardest of the year. As soon as you start looking at who you’re playing and changing your level of intensity and application, that’s when you get yourselves in trouble.
“I’m not a coach who puts games into blocks. For me, it’s what we do in training on any given day and how that’s going to impact how we play in round one.”
Carr is pleased with the way his first pre-season with Cas is going so far and revealed that he has been leading from the front.
He added: “I’m not really the type of coach who sits back and observes. I’m a hands-on coach.
“When you’re first starting and trying to develop something from day one, I like to make it as clear as I can from my mind to the playing group.
“Once the familiarity starts to build, that might change a little bit – but it’s my job to coach.
“The boys have been really receptive to everything we’ve been trying to do from day one.
“We’ve tried to build the purpose behind it. The clarity we provide as a staff is important.
“I feel like the boys have a lot of belief in what we’re doing and why we’re doing it. That’s exciting.”
Part of the Tigers’ pre-season planning has had to be changed with the cancellation of the proposed Benidorm Bash when they were going to play Oldham in Spain on January 10.
The Tigers and Oldham issued a joint statement explaining that the decision to cancel was taken by the organisers.
It said: “Oldham Rugby League and Castleford Tigers learned, via email communications sent directly to supporters, that ORLFC have apparently withdrawn from the Benidorm Bash Festival. Both clubs would like to make clear the decision to cancel the fixture, set to take place on January 10, has been taken by its organisers.
“We understand the significant frustration both sets of supporters have experienced as a result of the organisers’ actions.
“For clarity, neither ORLFC or Castleford have received any monies from ticket sales, with supporters urged to contact Benidorm Bash for refunds.
“Both ORLFC and Castleford intend for the fixture to go ahead, instead taking place in the UK, at a rescheduled date to be confirmed.”
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